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I smile down at her, glad that she also found a silver lining in how we met. There’s a moment where we could’ve kissed, but our order is called. I reach over Cass and grab both our meals, before heading to a table where I can see Jane and Kat already digging into their food. “So, what kind of food would you like on our date?” I ask, a grin slipping onto my face.

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I fidget in my seat a little, both from excitement to learn more about Caden, but also apprehension of another woman in his life. I mentally berate myself. Settle down, Nero.
“Is she going to the club with us too?” I ask, putting my hand on Caden’s leg in a subconscious effort to claim him as mine.

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”I thought this was a date?” I say, sitting down at the table with the others. ”Wait, you're not keeping my food are you!?” I reach over and rescue my burrito from him. ”Never mess with a girl's food,” I warn Nic.

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”I’m sure she would be interested in coming with us, but she doesn't have to,” I say and look at Nero. ”Es können nur du und ich sein,” I say. I speak in German for Nero's comfort more than anything. Avery I trust with my life. He isn't one to gossip or pass on information. His loyalty was all encompassing.

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I laugh, shaking my head. “I promise your burrito was safe, but what I meant was for our next date. What kind of food would you enjoy?” I eat one of the tacos in almost one bite.

“Ooo, already planning a second date?” Jane asks in excitement. Kat pats her shoulder in a ‘don’t-embarrass-them’ kind of way and slightly shakes her head in a warning. Jane misses the social cue. “We can go on another double date if you’d like!”

I chuckle with a shake of my own head and look at Cass. “Jane wants to make friends with a couple so she can have all the group dates and stuff.” I explain.

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I think about it for a moment as I deliberate the pros and cons. Having extra eyes in the club scene to find our killer might be a good thing… I glance back at Avery for a moment before I face Caden again. “Können wir den Welpen mitbringen, um sie abzulenken?” I ask with a cheeky grin.

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I eat my tots and laugh from Jane's excitement. ”I'm sure we could go another double after Nic and I see if we can handle each other's company one on one,” I say.

Nic and I hadn't spent any time alone together. There were always some in the room or in the room next to us. We've talked on the phone once now and texted lots but, it would be nice to just spend a couple hours alone with him. Now that we both know we're interested.

”As for food, pizza would be a good second date meal.” Besides, Chicago was famous for their pizza.

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I look back at Avery who now looks worried since we both looked at him. I grin and laugh. ”Wenn der Welpe kommen möchte, wir ihn aber nicht zwingen können.” Having Avery there would be useful but if the other wolves are there it could also prove to be a rather interesting night.

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”I would also like some alone time with you.” I say, nodding in agreement. I smiled at the food choice from Cass. “I think I know just the place to go, unless you have somewhere in mind?” I mix up my beans and rice, eating in large bites. There was a cute place outside Chicago where the pizzeria is part of a butcher shop that I think would be perfect.

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“Aber das ist ja das Tolle daran!” I say with a fake pout before I turn fully in my seat to look back at Avery.

“Do you want come to the club with us, Avery?” I ask in an excited wiggle before adding, “Two noses would be better than one.” I do my best impression of innocence as I silently beg Avery to agree with wide eyes.

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I smile and shake my head. ”Nope, if you have a place in mind that works for me,” I said. All the places I knew were supernatural friendly. It would good to know some other places as well.

I watch Nic eat with mild amusement. I lean towards the other two. ”Does he always eat like a wild animal?”

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I laugh even more when Nero turns their wide eyes on Avery. He looks at me desperately and I just keep laughing. ”Oh fine,” he says caving.

”We'll take two cars, Avery. Then you can leave at any time if you want. It'll be okay. It's important to introduce ourselves to the community,” I add. I had been to the club several times already but Avery had not. He really tried to keep to himself, but it was only a matter of time before he needed to meet the wolves of Chicago.

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I would grin at her agreeing, but my mouth is full of food. Then she has to ask her question to Jane and Kat, making my ears turn red before they even start.

“You should have seen him in college.” Jane starts with a snort. “We would go to the dining hall and this guy would have five grilled chicken breasts for himself with a bowl of broccoli. There was something about him needing a high-protein diet at the time.”

I swallow my food. “Okay, it was a diet for body conditioning and usually I wouldn’t have had anything since breakfast so I’d be starving, thank you very much.” I grab the paper straw wrapper near me and flick it at Jane.

“Okay, and what’s your excuse now?” Kat asks.

”… I’m hungry.” I say in a small defeated voice. High protein is still a good diet plan with how much I’m on my feet with work.

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I grin widely. “This will b fun! I declare, settling back into my seat once again. ”Does Avery know this old friend too?” I ask Caden, tugging on my gloves a little. I hadn’t felt pain since the memory resurfaced yesterday, but it was rather itchy today.

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I laughed, shaking my head in amusement. Werewolves were the only other creatures I knew who had a high protein diet. Of course, not every wolf was like Avery either. Some fed into their wolf side too much and we're rather wild and dangerous.

I shift focus from teasing Nic and eat my meal in a less animalistic way.

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”In passing. Kimiko is a rather free spirit. She's never in one place for long,” I say. I glance down when Nero pulls on their gloves and I rest my hand on their lap, offering my hand to hold if they need it.

”Oh, is she the kitsune?” Avery asks.

”Yes, she didn't say why she was in town but I assume it has to do with something or someone she's hunting. Kimiko is part of the men of letters, or rather her father is. They are an organization in Europe that hunts supernatural creatures.”

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I’m the first to finish my food, but that’s not a surprise to anyone who knew me. “I’m going to start setting my schedule to be opposite of yours if you keep teasing me like this.” I threaten Jane in jest. The hospital would probably love if they could do that, having their head ER nurse and head ER doctor on opposite schedules so that the ER ends up always being in good hands.

I never really cared about working overtime or staying late at the hospital before, but with Cass now… I glance at her, eyeing the way she’s eating her food in the opposite style of how I eat. Yeah, maybe I’ll start using my PTO more and staying on my current schedule would mean more time for date nights with Cass too. I start gathering the trash into a pile.

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I stare at Caden’s hand in my lap for a moment before I rip the glove off completely and hold his hand. “Kitsune…” I say, mulling the word over. “That’s a fox, right? Wait - am I going to be the only one not able to easily pick out this perfume scent tonight?” I pout a little at this revelation.

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I try not to feel self-conscious with Nic's eyes one as I eat. I eventually finish my meal and sip my drink. I glance back at the trampolines and wonder if we're going to keep going or if that's it for the day. I wouldn't mind going either way. I'm sure it would be best to let the food digest a little.

”Is there an arcade here?” I ask. That would be fun and give some time for the food to digest.

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”Ja. Her family has a long history with them.” I squeeze Nero's hand after they wrap their bare hand around it. I chuckle when they pout.

”Yes, but you might notice other things. Don't let that stop you, but also, you can have tonight. It isn't all work and no play,” I say and pull down the driveway.

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I grin at her idea. “Let’s find out.” I say, getting up from the table and grabbing everyone’s trash to throw away. “I don’t think I’ve been to an arcade since I was in middle school. Here’s hoping I’m still good.” Garbage taken care of, I offer my hand to Cass to hold while we walk if she wanted to.

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Squeezing Caden’s hand back, I think it over - Caden’s right, this isn’t a job for me, I’m just following Caden to spend time with him, so technically I could do whatever I want. “I’ll keep that in mind then.” I say with a grin as we approach his house. I’m going to dress cute as fuck tonight. I decide to myself.

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I see a flash of headlights from my spot on the couch and excitedly put my book down. It’s been awhile since I last was in the same room as Caden and I’m glad he happened to be in the states at the same time as me. I sit up a little straighter, but avoid running to the front door to ambush him.

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I take Nick's hand happily, okay with the idea of being on a double date with him and his friends. We scan the area and I point up the stairs. ”There!” I call and excitedly lead the way. It isn't very big but it has an air hockey table, several pinball and other old school games. There's a bike racing game and some shooter games as well.

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I kiss Nero's hand before we park. Avery gets out and beats me to the door. I chuckle and wait for Nero before I escort them up the steps and into the house. I kiss Nero's hand again before I release them and turn. I look left and right before I head to the living room.

”Kiki, get your ass out here!” I call into the house. Thinking about it now, it had been at least ten years or so since I last saw her.

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I grin at how enthusiastic Cass is about this litter arcade. Everything she does is just adorable. “Alright Cass, where do you want to start?” I ask with a gentle squeeze of her hand. I’m glad to see there’s an air hockey table along with several other arcade games you’d expect to find.
“Just know that Jane and I will fight to the death in any of them.” Said shorty smacks me on the arm and tells me to shut up.

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Once released, I swiftly pull my glove back over my hand and follow Caden in his search for Kiki. I hear light steps and an attractive girl walks out of Caden’s dining room, grinning.

“Is this what these yanks teach you? To just yell at your guests?” Her accent is beautiful with a hint of Scottish lilt to it. I tilt my head as she makes a run at Caden and throws her arms around him with a laugh. “I’ve missed you too, old man.” She says.

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I grin. ”Can we do the bike racing one? And then when you and Jane get too competitive and forget about me and Kat, her and I will go play pinball or something.”

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I grin when I see her. She hasn't changed one bit. She runs at me and I laugh, picking her up and spinning her around.

”I do only when it comes to family,” I squeeze her tight and set her down after kissing her cheeks. I take a step back and smile at Nero.

”Kiki, this is my partner, Nero,” I plant a kiss on Nero's head and pull them closer. ”And this brick wall is Avery. He's been a part of my security detail for about twenty years. The two of you met in passing.”

Avery eyes Kiki and gives a subtle nod. He's never been fond of new people in his, or rather our, territory. And wolves and foxes have a long history. Like Cass and demons.

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I share a grin with Jane. “She already knows us so well.” I say with a laugh before heading over to the bike game. “Now if only these were acoustic bikes instead.” I say dramatically as I step over the side of one and take a seat. I’ve always been tempted to get a motorcycle, but my mom had always talked me out of it, asking why I wanted to die young.

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I raise my eyebrows and grin mischievously when Caden introduces someone as his partner. I look at the little thing in wonder. “Why, you’re adorable!” I say to Nero. “You simply must tell me how you were able to finally get this man to settle down.” I coo before taking a look at Avery. A dragon, a demon, and a wolf all under one roof? Well, and a fox now. This could turn very interesting or into a massacre.

“Now Caden, I’m sure I would have remembered someone this handsome if I had met them before.” I give Avery a flirtatious wink and a smirk before turning back to Caden. “Now, where are are you taking me for my expensive dinner tonight?” It’s easy to put up this act while around Caden - he’s the one who helped me master the cool and confident exterior in the first place.

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I got a card and put some tokens on it for all of us. I sit beside Nic on a bike and scan the card twice. ”Acoustic bike?” The only acoustic thing I knew was the acoustic guitar.

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I laugh and keep Nero close. ”We can talk about it over supper. We are going to the Osiris after supper if you'd like to join us. We are just going up to change. Avery will be coming with us. You can flirt with him there,” I say with a grin. Avery looks less enthused about the idea.

”I'm going to get ready,” he says and immediately leaves. I chuckle and look at Kiki.

”Where did Henry put you up?”

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I laugh at Cass’ confusion. “You’ve never heard that before?” I pull out my phone and quickly pull up the meme I’m referencing to show her before the race starts. “I was talking about this stupid meme.” I tell Cass, still chuckling.

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I watch Avery leave with mild interest. He’s a hard one to get a good reading on. “Ich glaube, der Welpe mag sie nicht besonders.” I look up to say to Caden.

”Oh! Sie sprechen Deutsch? Wie wunderbar.”

I blanch, not having expected someone else knowing German. I cough and smile sheepishly. “Sorry, I got a little too comfortable thinking Caden and I were the only ones to speak it.” Now I definitely regret not learning more languages.

Kiki laughs it off. “That’s quite alright, no worries little one.” She says before turning to Caden. “I think he put me on your side of the house? I was surprised he still remembered me. Where’s Nero staying? I don’t want to step on any toes.” She certainly darted about conversations like a fox would with stealing food, I observe.

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I snort at the meme. ”That's worse than a dad joke,” I declare. I lean forward on the bike, my hands on the handlebars and as soon as the race starts I push the right buttons. I squeal and laugh as I race against Nic, hitting him with my digital bike so I can stay ahead.

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I stand behind Nero and wrap my arms around Nero's waist. ”They're staying with me, but the room next to mine is there's for the time being. Henry probably put you on the ground floor then. Don't worry the house is soundproof,” I say with a wink.

I release Nero and walk back around. ”We're going to have to be strategic about the club. No one knows you here, Kiki I would like to use that to our advantage.”

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I grin. “That’s where the best jokes comes from! Rude!” I declare with a gasp after Cass hit me with her virtual bike. I know there’s a stereotype about boys and video games, especially Asian boys, but I really did mean it when I said I hadn’t been to an arcade since middle school. I think my parents kept me from getting too involved with video games in order to help me stay on the fast track to becoming a doctor. All this to say, Cass is currently kicking my ass. Jane doesn’t hide her amusement in the fact that I’m losing either, because she starts cackling.

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If I want to put a little extra effort in my outfit tonight, I should start getting ready now. “I’m going to go die of embarrassment now.” I joke. “But really, I’m going to go get a jumpstart on getting ready, you two catch up.” I say before prancing away and towards Caden’s room.

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“Ooo, espionage before I’ve even had the chance to get rid of the jet lag. I love it.” I say as I watch Nero walk away before turning to Caden. Crossing my arms, I raise an eyebrow at him. “Alright, I have a million questions - first of all, a demon? That’s unexpected you sly thing.” All I’d known of Caden since I first met him was that he was always such a free spirit in his relationships, it’s surprising that a demon is the one to have tied him down. I briefly wonder how long it will last, but otherwise tuck that thought into the back of my mind.

“Second of all, what’s the case?”

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I win the race and throw my hands up in victory. ”Ahha! What next?” I'm definitely having more fun now. I've redeemed myself from falling flat on my face earlier.

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I watch Nero walk away, smiling until Kiki pulls me from my thoughts. I grin as I look at her.

”What can I say. They've captured my attention and I haven't been able to look away. Tonight should be interesting though,” I muse. I walk over to the drinks trolly and pour a drink for Kiki and myself before sitting down.

”Five people of gone missing. All young men, all loners. It's pointing towards a werewolf but the claw marks don't match, and the victims have been drained of blood as well as their hearts are missing.” I pull out my phone so Kiki can look over the photos I took. ”They have the most strange smell. I feel like they are trying to mask who they truly are with the smell but it's definitely animalistic.”